Arsenal Deal Under Fire: Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire defended the Saint Lucia–Arsenal FC partnership but refused to disclose the cost, saying commercial terms must stay confidential—while officials say details will be addressed in Parliament. Gun Crime Pressure on Pierre: PM Philip Pierre pushed back on public frustration over the gun conviction “lag,” stressing penalties are already in law but convictions depend on police proposals and judicial independence. Parliament Budget Clash: Lawmakers sparred over a $906M financing plan, with the opposition warning about borrowing costs and investor confidence. Fuel Prices Held Steady: Despite global drops, Saint Lucia kept gasoline and diesel at $16.75/imp gal and LPG unchanged for the next cycle, citing subsidies and delayed pass-through. Flow Restores Services: After a crisis-level Flow outage linked to a damaged subsea fibre, customers are set to receive automatic rebates/credits. Vision Care Boost: Government signed a 12-month MoU with US non-profit RestoringVision to screen for presbyopia and distribute up to 50,000 donated eyeglasses via clinics and community health workers. Public Service Week: Activities kicked off in Castries under a theme focused on innovation, participation and inclusion. Utilities Spotlight: Opposition leader Allen Chastanet renewed calls for transparency as water and power costs rise. Uber Oversight Fight: Government says Uber continues operating without regulatory approval, intensifying the clash with local taxi rules. Tourism Calendar: JetBlue launched a New York–Castries Carnival promo, while Lucian Carnival 2026 and summer events are set to drive arrivals. Health & Safety Alerts: Snake sightings and bites are rising islandwide, prompting renewed warnings.